Our Call to Evangelize - Unit 4: Interreligious Dialogue

Interreligious dialogue

The respectful interaction/dialogue between Christians and non-Christians in mutual search for truth.

Importance of Interreligious Dialogue

1) It helps Christians find common ground with other world religions and 2) serves as an opportunity for Christians to live out the universal call to evangelization.

Guidelines for Prayer and Worship

The Church teaches that Catholics can pray and worship with people of other religions for good reason. They cannot actively participate/lead non-Catholic worship or prayers contrary to the Catholic faith.

Religious Syncretism

The attempt to reconcile or blend the beliefs and practices of various religions into one. It is erroneous since different religions contradict one another.

Religion and Culture

The Catholic faith upholds all cultural expressions as long as they do not contradict the Catholic faith.

The existence of multiple religions

Not a sufficient argument against Christianity. It doesn't follow that just b/c there are multiple conflicting views within a discipline, all of them are incorrect.

Hinduism (founder/#'s/main locations)

An ancient religion native to India with no definitive founder. Today it has about 1.1 billion followers mostly in India.

Hinduism (view of God, holy texts)

It has no definitive view of God (typically ranges from polytheism to pantheism). Holy texts include Vedas and Upanishads.

Hinduism (ethics/afterlife)

Dharma: moral code which shapes one's karma which determines their reincarnation (and possible caste) status. The goal is to leave the endless cycle.

Buddhism (founder/#'s/main locations)

Founded by Siddhartha Gautama around 500 BC in India. Today it has around 500 million followers mostly in East Asia.

Buddhism (view of God/holy texts)

Contains no definitive view of God (typical views are pantheistic, polytheistic, or even agnostic). Sacred texts mostly come from writings attributed to Buddha.

Buddhism (ethics/afterlife)

Detachment from/purification of desires to reduce suffering (4 Noble Truths) and moderation in action (8-Fold Path) to increase one's karma to overcome the endless cycle of reincarnation through ultimate nirvana.

Judaism (founder/#'s/major locations)

Ancient religion founded centuries before Christ through prophets like Abraham and Moses. Today has around 15 million followers mostly in Israel and the U.S.

Judaism (view of God + holy texts)

Monotheistic. The Tanakh (Old Testament) is its sacred scripture supplemented by the talmud (rabbinical tradition).

Judaism (ethics + afterlife)

Elements of Mosaic Law (ex: kosher) and 10 commandments. No definitive view on afterlife; eternal heaven and hell believed by some.

Islam (founder/#'s/main locations)

Founded in 622 AD by Muhammad (considered the ultimate prophet of Islam by giving the final revelation) in Arabia. Today there are about 1.8 billion Muslims primarily in the Middle East, and parts of Asia and Africa.

Islam (view of God/holy texts)

Monotheistic. Quran = holy book (direct word of Allah/God). The hadith are the traditions of Islam.

Islam (ethics/afterlife)

Five Pillars of Islam (profession of faith, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and pilgrimage to Mecca) Eternal heaven or hell depending on one's faith and deeds at the final judgment.

Hindu - Catholic common ground

Includes incarnation of the divine, emphasis on a basic moral code, many feast days, pilgrimages, and religious rituals.

Buddhist - Catholic common ground

The founder of this religion is also widely recognized as being peaceful and wise. Emphasis on moderation in ethics, a rich history of the monastic life, and many have houses of worship/temples

Jewish - Catholic common ground

Monotheism, angels, and the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments, and a communal liturgy (sabbath, Passover and holy days)

Islamic - Catholic common ground

Monotheism, angels, the Quran contains many stories from the bible, importance of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and eternal afterlife of heaven or hell.

Catholic evangelization points for Hinduism

The lack of a firm understanding of God leads to religious relativism, Christ is not one of many incarnations, karma = superstitious, Pascal's Wager can be used against the view of reincarnation, the Caste System has historically been used as a tool for social control by religious elites.

Catholic evangelization points for Buddhism

The same responses to counter Hinduism can also be given for this religion except the Caste System which this religion rejected.

Catholic evangelization points for Judaism

Jesus is the fulfillment of the covenants and the divine Son of God. Lack of an official belief on the afterlife as opinions differ.

Hebrew Catholics show that one can retain many Jewish culture/customs while affirming Catholic beliefs.

Catholic evangelization points for Muslims

1) Islamic Dilemma: The Quran affirms the bible yet contradicts it (ex: crucifixion denied). 2) Muhammad (unlike Jesus) lacked motives of credibility like miracles or prophecy fulfillment and had many ulterior motives (power, lust, greed, etc) for his revelations. 3) Lack of central authority to settle controversial issues such as women's rights and violence/religious coercion.